Patna: The second phase of the Bihar Assembly election begins at 7 a.m. on Tuesday and runs until 6 p.m. In Naxal-affected areas, voting will stop at 5 p.m. There are 1,302 candidates in the running, including 1,165 men, 136 women, and one candidate who identifies as a third gender.
The major rivalry is between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan; however, AIMIM and Jan Suraj provide challenges in some areas.
This phase includes polling in 122 constituencies: 101 general, 19 SC reserved, and 2 ST reserved seats. According to the Election Commission, 3,70,13,556 electors are eligible to vote in this election. This includes 10, 21,812 new voters on the rolls. Male electors make up 1, 95,56,899 of the voter list, with 5, 28, 954 new male electors added following SIR. Similarly, the list contains 1, 70,68, 572 female voters, with 4, 92, 839 additional additions. The third-gender voters total 943, with 90 new additions to the list. There are 7, 69, 356 electors between the ages of 18 and 19, who will be voting for the first time in the Assembly election.
For phase 2, the ECI has established 45,399 polling stations, with 5,326 urban and 40,073 rural. These include 595 women-managed booths, 91 PWD-managed booths, and 316 model stations.
Webcasting has been organised for all polling locations. The average number of electors per booth is 815.
Polling in phase-2 covers 20 districts—including West Champaran, East Champaran, Supaul, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, Katihar, Banka, Bhagalpur, Nawada, Jamui, Aurangabad, Gaya, Rohtas, Kaimur, Jehanabad and Arwal. Bihar police have arranged comprehensive security for the polling.
Special measures have been implemented in seven districts, including West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Madhubani, Araria, and Kishanganj along the Indo–Nepal border, while surveillance along borders with Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal has been heightened.
The international borders are fully sealed, and interstate borders have been closed since Sunday evening to prevent infiltration and the movement of external elements. In accordance with the directives of the Election Commission of India (ECI), a total of 1,650 companies of central security forces have been deployed across the state to ensure peaceful and fair polling. Security agencies are employing drones and CCTV cameras for surveillance, and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been positioned for immediate action in emergencies.
Security agencies are deploying drones and CCTV cameras for surveillance, and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been formed to respond quickly in emergency circumstances.
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File photo: IANS
–IANS
